DDLMC WEEKLY UPDATE 07/09/22
Access to Records Webinar 1
As your LMC and ICB we are aware that there is a vast array of information, toolkits and checklists already available to you to prepare for access to records. We are working together to bring a Derbyshire wide approach and support network.
During this one hour webinar we will be listening to your questions, concerns and challenges about the access to prospective records from the 1st November.
This session will not have a formal agenda as the purpose of it is for us to build a FAQ, and topical webinars.
To book your place click here. Once you have booked your place a team’s invite will be sent to you
Updating Configuration Settings Ahead of Patients Accessing Online Records
There are now just 8 weeks until patients with online accounts, such as through the NHS App (or other patient online apps), will be able to view new entries in their health records. Immediate action is required by general practices to ensure that they are ready for the planned change on 1 November 2022, and that their clinical system is updated to allow prospective (future) record access to patients.
Clinical system suppliers (EMIS and TPP) have identified the need for general practices to update their organisation (global) settings for online services. In order for patients to receive online access to their prospective (future) records from 1 November, as set out in the letter to general practice staff in July, this needs to be updated manually by the individual practice (as data controller) before this date.
Detailed instructions, including guidance for your practice, can be found on the NHS Digital website
Rising Costs Of Energy Crisis Update
We are concerned about the viability of practices if the continual rising costs are not met with support. The price cap that has been imposed on charges for domestic customers does not apply for businesses and so we have been calling for urgent action to protect our practices.
We have escalated our concerns to the ICB locally and the BMA’s General Practitioner’s Committee (GPC) and requested that they represent the profession in discussions with the government via NHS England to get support to offset the extra costs being incurred by practices.
Yesterday's announcement by the Prime Minister is clearly welcome but we still need to see the details of the offer to businesses and to understand what will happen after the 6 month period of support announced. We will continue to lobby for GP surgeries to be considered separately after that time in view of our inability to raise income to cover the additional expense incurred and to prevent it having the inevitable impact on the serves we are able to offer to our patients.
We recommend that all practices monitor their energy bills and keep a track of the increases should this help to access any future support offers. Please send us your examples of increasing costs so we can send this (anonymised) information to GPC.
PCNs – Clarification on CQC Registration Sent on Behalf of Clive Newman DDICB
Next Tuesday's meeting (13/09) to discuss CQC issues for Primary Care Networks has unfortunately been deferred as CQC colleagues are now not able to attend, this will now take place on Tuesday October 11th 12.30-1.30pm.
CQC colleagues have asked that we send them any questions that you may have before the meeting. Could you send any questions to ddicb.primarycarequalityteam@nhs.net by 30/09 please so that we can collate them. If you have any more urgent issues to discuss then please contact CQC directly and cc in the primary care quality team email address please.
2022/2023 Flu Recourses
The Green Book Flu chapter 19 was updated yesterday Influenza: the green book, chapter 19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and 2 flu posters have been published today on the annual flu programme webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/annual-flu-programme
The 2022/23 flu poster shows all the different types of flu vaccines available for the 2022/23 flu season (children and adults) and the clinical risk groups that they apply to.
JCVI statement on 2022/23 flu vaccines (22.09.21): https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation
COVID-19 Autumn booster & flu vaccine programme expansion (15.07.22): https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/covid-19-autumn-booster-and-flu-vaccine-programme-expansion/
Amendment to 2022/23 tripartite annual flu letter/plan (22.07.22) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flu-immunisation-programme-plan
Amendment to 2022/23 flu vaccination reimbursement guidance to reflect changes (21.07.22): https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/annual-seasonal-flu-vaccination-programme-and-reimbursement-guidance/
Training:
e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LFH) flu training modules x3 (Core; Inactivated & LAIV): https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/flu-immunisation/ (05.08.22)
RCN Immunisation competencies revised (22.02.22): www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/publications/immunisation-knowledge-and-skills-competence-assessment-tool-uk-pub-010-074
Annual flu programme webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/annual-flu-programme
PHE Campaign Resource Centre: https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/
UKHSA Health Publications: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.html
ImmForm:
Healthcare Worker Flu & Covid vaccine uptake 2022/23 submission deadlines: https://portal.immform.phe.gov.uk/DataCollections/DataCollections/Current-Surveys/Flu-Data-Collections/News/Seasonal-Flu-Frontline-Healthcare-Workers-(HCWs)-V.aspx
Flu (GP Patients) & Flu Childhood (GP Patients) vaccine uptake 2022/23 submission deadlines: https://portal.immform.phe.gov.uk/DataCollections/DataCollections/Current-Surveys/Flu-Data-Collections/News/Seasonal-Flu-(GP-Patients)-Vaccine-Uptake-Surveys.aspx
Designated Dr for Safeguarding Children
Lindsay Lewis – Consultant Paediatrician has commenced her role as Designated Dr for Safeguarding Children – Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (3 pa sessions a week) on the 1st September 2022. We are absolutely delighted that Lindsay has joined the safeguarding team, we wish her every success in her new role and know she will do a great job.
If required in her capacity of Designated Doctor, Lindsay can be contacted by email on lindsay.lewis1@nhs.net.
We will inform you of her mobile phone number once this has been issued.
NHSE & NHSI COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Support Bulletin – Issue 37
The aim of the information enclosed in the bulletin is to summarise the key requirements in line with national policy and guidance and provide latest information.
NHSE_&NHSI_COVID_19_Vaccination_Bulletin_37.pdf (derbyshiremedicinesmanagement.nhs.uk)
Friends and Family Test
All GP practices should now be making the Friends and Family Test (FFT) available to patients who want to give quick, easy, and anonymous feedback, which can be used to identify good practice and opportunities for improvement. Full guidance is available, setting out the requirements including the new improved standard question. Any practices that need help or advice about the FFT can contact the helpdesk.
GPC Weekly Update 08.09.2022
The BMA has also written to the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss,high lighting the need to tackle NHS pressures and that practices are bearing the brunt of excessive waiting times while many are themselves overwhelmed with demand. In response to the appointment of Thérèse Coffey as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the BMA highlighted the huge decline in GP numbers and debilitating workloads and has also urged her to lay out her emergency plan for the NHS, underlining that a promise of extra appointments cannot be realised without additional Doctors.
Digital Firearms Marker
Members will be aware of issues with the implementation of the new digital firearms marker for practices using the EMIS system. GPC raised these issues with the Home Office and NHS Digital has agreed to a temporary suspension of the EMIS system marker to ensure that the system is addressing the issues raised and enable testing to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the flags that are currently popping up. We are continuing to work with the Home Office, Police Chiefs and NHS Digital to implement a firearms marker that will improve the current system for GPs and provide a safer and more efficient system to benefit the public.
However, we are still looking for clarification/guidance on what doctors should do immediately when the flag comes up. GPC is conscious that any revised system remains easy to use for GPs and importantly, does not distract or amount to an administrative burden and workload for practices.
Inflation and Your Practice
GPs across England are grappling with increasing levels of inflation, sky high fuel costs and the impact it is having on practice costs. We are interested in learning more about how individual practices are experiencing inflationary cost pressures (i.e. gas and other utilities, staffing costs), and would value an opportunity to speak to you about this.
Your contributions will better enable us, on behalf of the profession, to advocate to and pressure NHSE/I, DHSC and the government to seek solutions. To share your experiences and help bolster the BMA’s evidence-based lobbying and influencing case for urgent General Practice support, please get in touch with Rachel McGuire, BMA Senior Research Advisor in the Independent Contractor Doctors Team (icdqueries@bma.org.uk). Please also copy us in at ddlmc.office@nhs.net
GP Premises Update
Two key policy developments – the Premises Cost Directions and the NHS England Ownership Review – have been due ‘any week now’ for some months. Either could have seismic implications for how the primary care estate is managed and funded, immediately and in the future. We will of course monitor developments closely and communicate them widely.
While we await the arrival of these strategic-level publications, we have been busy resolving operational issues as they emerge. We receive multiple queries every week from practices struggling with NHS Property Services (NHSPS) or – less frequently – Community Health Partnerships (CHP) and have been providing advice about how to resolve these issues and move forward. We continue to meet with the chief executives from both organisations, using this as an opportunity to escalate problems that have become intractable on the ground, with consistent success.
If your practice is affected by this please let us know at ddlmc.office@nhs.net